Toxic Chemical Reaction Reported at Raynham Robotics Company

RAYNHAM — Chief James T. Januse reports that the Raynham Fire Department responded to a Tier 2 hazardous materials incident at a business Wednesday morning.

At approximately 11 a.m., the Raynham Fire Department was alerted to a potentially hazardous chemical reaction at Medrobotics, 475 Paramount Drive, in the Raynham Woods Commerce industrial park. The business is a medical robotics company.

Everyone inside the building was quickly evacuated and no injuries were reported.

When firefighters arrived, they noticed a cloud that had formed in an area where chemicals were being mixed.

Following standard protocols, a Tier 1 HazMat response was triggered, and a state hazardous materials response team was called to investigate.

Once the HazMat team arrived it was determined that the incident should be elevated to a Tier 2 response, which is classified as a short-term operation.

A portion of Paramount Drive near the entrance to the building has been closed by Raynham Police and people are encouraged to avoid the area. The HazMat situation could take several hours to safely conclude.

The company’s 150-200 employees have been sent home for the day.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was notified of the incident. The cause of the incident and the type of chemicals involved are under investigation.